The Indescribable Christ

“Never man spake like this man.” These words spoken by officers sent to arrest Jesus are mild words compared to the multiple names or descriptions assigned to Him by the writers of Holy Scripture. If you question why there are hundreds even thousands of references to Jesus Christ in the Holy Book, there is a great answer. He was, and still is, “indescribable”. Every writer of the Bible inspired and guided by the Holy Ghost never tired of adding another anointed word picture of God’s Divine Son. He is altogether wonderful’ He is utterly indescribable; and He can never be fully understood until we awake in His likeness at our resurrection.

All of the writers of the Bible made an earnest and anointed approach to describe the eternal “Word of God”. Even this title “Word of God”, one of the greatest of His names, leaves the mind of a hungry saint grasping for more. Isaiah used one of the classic titles when he called Him “Emmanuel”. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) Indeed, He is “God with us” as Isaiah stated; and a few sentences later, he gave five great proofs of the Divine title “Emmanuel” when he called Him “Wonderful”, “Counselor”, “Mighty God”, “Everlasting Father”, and “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

The seven “Jehovah” names of Christ in the First Testament paint one of the clearest pictures of His fullness. “Jehovah-Elohim” means self-existing, “Jehovah-Jirah” describes His unfailing provisions, “Jehovah-Nissi” – our banner, “Jehovah-Rapha” – our physician, and “Jehovah-Shalom” – our peace; these names touch fabulous areas of His sufficiency. He also is called “Jehovah-Tzidkenu” – our righteousness, and “Jehovah-Rahi” – our shepherd. Plus, the New Testament calls Him “Jehovah-Sabaoath” – the Lord of the mighty angelic host.

Solomon reached right into the heart of God’s revelations of His Son and gave Him titles of majesty. He called Him the “Rose of Sharon”, “Well-Beloved”, “Lily of the Valley”, and the “Chiefest Among Ten Thousand”. (Song of Solomon 2:1;5:3) Isaiah continues this theme of majestic names. He spoke of Him as the “Man of Sorrows”, “Branch”, Arm of the Lord”, “Comforter”, “Tender Plant”, and the “Cornerstone”.

No book of the Bible rises above the book of John in its description of our Christ. John presents Him as the “I Am”, “Bread of Life”, “Lamb of God”, “Teacher”, and “Water of Life”. This beloved disciple presented Him as the “Door”, “Resurrection”, “Life”, and “True Vine”. Job, in his despair, got a glimpse of the “Redeemer”. (Job 19:25) Even with all of these great names, Jesus is still unsearchable.

The two names of Jesus that excel all others are “Son of God” and “Son of Man”. The contrast of these two names takes us into the realm of His highest revelation. Nothing supercedes His person as God and man existing simultaneously. He was God, and He became man, but never ceased to be God. He was man, and when He finished the revelation of His manhood, He took that manhood with Him back into the realm of pure Godhood. Yet, when we see the “Eternal Christ”, we will see the wounds of His manhood.

Apostle Paul describes both of these breathtaking portraits of this Blessed Son of God. “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8) Such truth defies the highest of human wisdom. This God-man put on the robe of flesh, and wore it with such divinity and dignity that when He laid it aside, it could not corrupt or decay because it was spotless, because where there is no sin there can be no corruption. The flesh lay in the tomb awaiting His return to pick it up and wipe away every spot of death, except the scars of memories.

Yet, even as He wore this flesh, the glory of who He was could not be hidden. Paul said of Him, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?

And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” (Hebrews 1:3-6) Only the spiritually blinded fail to see the glory shining through the flesh. The study of His life is to watch the contrast of the man and God in one person. Endless books have tried to both magnify Him and to destroy Him, and yet He is the most misunderstood of men. How do you describe God in a man, and how do you destroy a man who was God? Both efforts can never be complete. He is indescribable, and above all, He is indestructible. Because He lives, those who will dare believe, live also.